Muhammad Ali will be buried Friday in Louisville, Kentucky

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Muhammad Ali' daughter Laila Ali said Monday "the whole world is sad" over the death of her father, who fought with Parkinson's disease nearly half his life and died Friday at the age of 74.

"It wasn't easy to watch him suffer, so knowing that he's not suffering anymore is what gives me comfort," Laila Ali said of the boxing legend on NBC's "Today" show. "I prepared mentally for many years that one day I was going to lose my father and that time has come."

Asked if her father has grown weary of his fight with Parkinson's, Laila Ali said "it was never to the point where he wanted to move on. One of the things he was afraid of was death."

"I know he's in a better place now," added Laila Ali, herself a former boxing champion. "He's talking again and moving again and doing all the things he couldn't do with his body. I'm happy for that even though I'm going to miss him deeply."

Muhammad Ali will be buried Friday in Louisville, Kentucky. A private funeral ceremony will be held Thursday, The Associated Press reported.